Man in the street performs better

The Evening Standard today put the questions to people in the street to act as a comparison with Mr Caborn's performance.

Even a German businessman managed to put the minister to shame by getting a golfing answer right. But Dieter Pfaff, 45, could not name any of the four players involved in the semi-finals of the Stella Artois at Queen's.

"I was concentrating on the tennis in Germany," said Mr Pfaff. "I have no idea."

Did Mr Pfaff know the names of three jockeys riding at Royal Ascot this week? "I have no idea at all. I am not interested in horse racing."

However, when it came to the golf question - name three Europeans playing in the US Open - Mr Pfaff was certain. "Bernhard Langer, Ballesteros and Olazabal," came the prompt reply, putting Mr Caborn to shame.

Kelly Finlay, 23, from Chiswick, was asked to name the current England cricket coach. "I have no idea... is it Eriksson?" At least Miss Finlay knew the name of England's football coach.

Who is captain of the Lions, we demanded of Miss Finlay. "I have no idea, although my sister met them on the beach recently."

However, Miss Finlay was able to name two of the four semi-finalists at Queen's - Henman and Lleyton Hewitt.

When told she had beaten Mr Caborn, she said: "I am really surprised. How can he not know that?"

Next in the hot seat was Janet Buckley, of Colchester, who works in children's publishing. Could she name the four semi-finalists in the Stella Artois?

"What is that? Cricket? Rugby? Tennis? Oh, Tim Henman. The other guy - Sampras?" One out of four, but already a match for Mr Caborn.

Top of the class was Darren Mercer, 32, who works for the Army. He confidently named three golfers (Colin Montgomerie, Darren Clarke and Severiano Ballesteros), one tennis semi-finalist (Henman) and a jockey (Dettori).

"They are not really difficult if you follow sport," said Mr Mercer, of Kennington. "But it is not very good for a minister, is it?"